Ellis Lupu
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE LUPU BRIDGE IN SHANGHAI
L J H Ellis
Dept. Civil & Architectural Engineering, University of Bath
Abstract: This article provides a critical analysis of The Lupu Bridge in Shanghai. The bridge is currently the world’s longest spanning steel arch bridge with a span of 550m. The analysis of this report includes sections on aesthetics, loading, structural analysis and construction. The Lupu Bridge is a steel through-tied box-girder arch bridge and it is also the only steel arch bridge in the world to be completely welded. Keywords: Lupu Bridge, Steel, Arch Bridge, Longest Span, Welding.
Figure 1: View of bridge deck and arches at night. Ref. [1]
1 Introduction
The Lupu Bridge is located in Shanghai, China. It is currently the seventh crossing to be constructed over the Huangpu River in the city. The bridge is located in the south of the city with the aim to ease congestion in the quickly developing areas around the southern side of the river and the city centre and also to help with the increasing traffic expected at the 2010 world Expo.
The venue for this is set to be surrounding the river at the location of the bridge, so it will not only be a vital part of the infrastructure for this event, it will also act as a showpiece for Chinese engineering.
The bridge was officially opened in June 2003 at a total cost of $302 Million US. On completion the Lupu
Bridge was the largest spanning arch bridge in the
world with a main span of 550m overtaking the New
River Gorge Bridge in the United States by 32m. This record is set to be broken in 2008 by the under construction Chaotianmen Bridge in China by only 2m.
The total length of the bridge is 3,900m including the approach bridges on either side of the river.
The bridge was originally heavily criticised as it was seen as wasteful by many people in respect to the type of bridge that was actually needed for the project.
Many feel that it is just a show piece for the city and the price tag reflected that
L J H Ellis
Dept. Civil & Architectural Engineering, University of Bath
Abstract: This article provides a critical analysis of The Lupu Bridge in Shanghai. The bridge is currently the world’s longest spanning steel arch bridge with a span of 550m. The analysis of this report includes sections on aesthetics, loading, structural analysis and construction. The Lupu Bridge is a steel through-tied box-girder arch bridge and it is also the only steel arch bridge in the world to be completely welded. Keywords: Lupu Bridge, Steel, Arch Bridge, Longest Span, Welding.
Figure 1: View of bridge deck and arches at night. Ref. [1]
1 Introduction
The Lupu Bridge is located in Shanghai, China. It is currently the seventh crossing to be constructed over the Huangpu River in the city. The bridge is located in the south of the city with the aim to ease congestion in the quickly developing areas around the southern side of the river and the city centre and also to help with the increasing traffic expected at the 2010 world Expo.
The venue for this is set to be surrounding the river at the location of the bridge, so it will not only be a vital part of the infrastructure for this event, it will also act as a showpiece for Chinese engineering.
The bridge was officially opened in June 2003 at a total cost of $302 Million US. On completion the Lupu
Bridge was the largest spanning arch bridge in the
world with a main span of 550m overtaking the New
River Gorge Bridge in the United States by 32m. This record is set to be broken in 2008 by the under construction Chaotianmen Bridge in China by only 2m.
The total length of the bridge is 3,900m including the approach bridges on either side of the river.
The bridge was originally heavily criticised as it was seen as wasteful by many people in respect to the type of bridge that was actually needed for the project.
Many feel that it is just a show piece for the city and the price tag reflected that
References: David J. Brown. Octopus Publishing Group Ltd 1993, 2005.